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Auckland University of Technology professor Paul Moon has questioned the authenticity of some modern day cultural practices in Rotorua.
But the sulphur city's deputy mayor, Trevor Maxwell of Ngati Rangiwewehi, says Rotorua Māori take pride in how they present their culture.
"His criticism of cultural performers, which I've been part of and still am when I get the opportunity, putting tā moko on and then washing it off afterwards, I thought, our people, they are doing the cultural performances, there are about a dozen places for the tourists at night, but that's not their fulltime job, they've got to go home, get up in the morning and go and do their day job wherever they are, so it hurts a bit when you hear things like that, but nā reira." Mr Maxwell says.
He says Paul Moon’s criticism of being given a steamed corn cob belies the fact many Rotorua whānau still use their ngāwhā for cooking the daily meal.
Copyright © 2013, UMA Broadcasting Ltd
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